The Tasmanian Government has released a new plan aimed at allowing various events to go ahead over coming months. Speaking after National Cabinet on Friday, Premier Peter Gutwein said it's hoped the three-step framework will permit harness racing cups, the Sydney-Hobart yacht race and…

Victoria has recorded five new cases of coronavirus and no deaths as authorities work to contain an outbreak in Melbourne's north. The cases, confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, bring Melbourne's 14-day rolling average to 6.1. Residents of Broadmeadows,…

Brazilian health authority Anvisa says a volunteer in a clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University has died but adds that the trial will continue. Oxford confirmed the plan to keep testing, saying in a statement that after careful assessment…

The United States has seen nearly 300,000 more deaths than expected in a typical year since early January, indicating an undercount in deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a government study. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which authored the report, said…

Premier Daniel Andrews says Victoria will open up earlier than planned after the state recorded a single case of coronavirus, which may be removed from the tally. Authorities are investigating whether the case recorded on Tuesday is active or if the person is "shedding" non-infectious…

People travelling from New Zealand will be allowed to come to South Australia with no need to quarantine under revised COVID-19 measures. The state's transition committee on Tuesday decided to clear the way for direct flights from New Zealand and for passengers to also transit through…

Switzerland has announced tighter restrictions to tackle a second coronavirus wave hitting the country, including a nation-wide obligation to wear masks and a ban on large scale public gatherings. Gatherings of more than 15 people in public places will be banned from Monday and masks must…

VICTORIA'S PATHWAY OUT OF LOCKDOWN: The state government has mapped a new pathway out of lockdown for metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria that depends on stamping out COVID-19 cases in the community which have an unknown source. METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE STEP ONE: From 11:59pm…

Victoria has had only two new coronavirus cases and no deaths, leaving the state toll on 816 and the national figure at 904. It is the lowest number of new cases in the state since June 9, when there were none. And in another promising sign ahead of Sunday's announcement about an easing…

Thousands of Australians stranded overseas could soon return home under a deal to allow people to quarantine near Darwin. The ABC reported on Thursday up to 1000 people a month would isolate at the NT's Howard Springs facility after returning home on commercial and charter flights. Prime…

Health alerts have been issued for a Westfield shopping centre and two tutoring sites in Sydney's west after Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the state was at risk of a major COVID-19 outbreak. NSW Health says anyone who visited the Al-Jabr maths tutoring centre at Auburn on October 8…

DEATHS AND INFECTIONS EUROPE * Britain's opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for a two-to-three-week "circuit breaker" lockdown, piling pressure on PM Boris Johnson who is struggling to sell his own COVID-19 plan. * The Netherlands will return to a "partial lockdown", while…

Tasmania's border remains on track to reopen to safe jurisdictions on Monday October 26, but a decision on whether NSW will be included in that category has been delayed another week. Arrivals from WA, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and the ACT won't have to…

The first confirmed US case of coronavirus reinfection has been reported by researchers. A 25-year-old man with no known immune disorders or underlying conditions was infected with COVID-19 on two separate occasions, according to a study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases…

Australian scientists have found that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive for up to 28 days on surfaces such as the glass on mobile phones, stainless steel, vinyl and paper banknotes. The national science agency, the CSIRO, said the research undertaken at the Australian Centre for…

Border battles continue to keep Australians in travel limbo as authorities reveal who will be first in line for a coronavirus vaccine. Queensland has set a strict benchmark of 28 days clear of unlinked community transmission before NSW residents can visit. NSW recorded another five…

Victoria has recorded 11 new coronavirus cases and no deaths for the third time in a week. The state's death toll remains at 809 and the national figure is 897. The new cases, confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services on Friday, bring Melbourne's 14-day case average to 9.4,…

Authorities are rushing to investigate three coronavirus cases in NSW as Australians look for interstate travel certainty ahead of Christmas. NSW was on Wednesday given 48 hours by Queensland authorities to investigate the source of three new mystery cases, which are likely to threaten…

Victoria has recorded 11 new coronavirus cases and no deaths. The state's death toll from the virus stands at 809 and the national figure is 897. The new cases, confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, brings Melbourne's 14-day case average to 9.7, a slight…

Authorities are rushing to investigate three coronavirus cases in NSW as Australians look for interstate travel certainty ahead of Christmas. NSW was on Wednesday given 48 hours by Queensland authorities to investigate the source of three new mystery cases, which are likely to threaten…